The strategic partnership between AL-KO Vehicle Technology and Dexter launched successfully on 1 January as planned. The two companies AL-KO Vehicle Technology and Dexter Axle have been combined under the umbrella of the future "DexKo Global Inc.". AL-KO KOBER SE ceded the Vehicle Technology business unit to DexKo Global Inc. In return AL-KO KOBER SE received significant shares in the company in addition to the main shareholder The Sterling Group.

Fred Bentley, former CEO of Maxion Wheels, was appointed president and CEO of DexKo Global Inc. Adam Dexter continues to perform his current duties as president and CEO of Dexter in the USA. Harald Hiller will in future be the president of AL-KO Vehicle Technology. Kevin Garland, partner at The Sterling Group, will also function as Chair of the Supervisory Board following the merger. Stefan Kober, CEO of AL-KO KOBER SE, assumes the position of Deputy Chair of the Supervisory Board.

Dexter is one of the leading US manufacturers of trailer axles, brakes and associated components for commercial trailers, mobile homes, heavy duty trailers, prefabs, agricultural trainers, boat trailers and speciality trailers. Dexter is headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana and operates seven manufacturing facilities in the USA.

AL-KO Vehicle Technology, based in Kötz, is the leading European developer and manufacturer of axles and chassis for trailers, leisure vehicles and light commercial vehicles. The company has operations in around 40 locations worldwide, including in Europe, Australia, South Africa, China and South America.

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to join and lead two first-rate companies," said Fred Bentley, President and CEO of DexKo Global Inc. "In the future, as a leading company we will continue to focus on offering our customers excellent technical solutions and outstanding customer service and expanding our leading position in our respective markets. This is a most exciting and thrilling time for the new, now worldwide company. Together we will leverage our respective strengths to the benefit of our customers, employees, suppliers and stakeholders."

"AL-KO is proud of its unrivalled performance in terms of quality, innovation and customer service," said Harald Hiller, President of AL-KO Vehicle Technology. "Through the strategic partnership under the umbrella of DexKo Global Inc., AL-KO gains even more resources and can introduce new technologies and products which will allow us to meet the demands of our loyal customers even better."

From the merger of Dexter and AL-KO Vehicle Technology emerges the world's largest manufacturer of trailer axles and chassis components with turnover of nearly 1 billion US dollars. Dexter and AL-KO Vehicle Technology will remain as leading brands in their respective markets. Both companies can use resources and technologies together and benefit from the advantages of a global presence and much wider reach.